Absconding Maoist surrenders in Salem

A wanted Maoist, who was on the run for the last five years, surrendered before the police today.
Bhagat Singh, hailing from Oothankarai in Krishnagiri district, surrendered before Salem Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajan, the police said.
He was one of the 32 Maoists arrested by the 'Q' branch of Tamil Nadu police for undergoing arms training in the forests of Oothankarai in 2002, they added.
As Singh was not 18 then, he was lodged in a juvenile home. A case was lodged against him under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), 2002.
Though he had obtained conditional bail in 2012, Singh failed to appear before the court or police and was at large.

Accompanied by his lawyer, he today surrendered before the Salem SP.
Singh said he was working as a labourer while he was out on bail. He also alleged that the police had a plan to eliminate him in an encounter.
He further alleged that two of his roommates were taken into custody by the police to exert pressure on him. Since he had surrendered, the police should release his roommates immediately, he added.